4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Police Use of Force: What Psychologists Need to Know is presented by Mark Zelig, PhD, ABPP in partnership with the American Board of Police and Public Safety Psychology (ABPPSP).

In the past two years, North American law enforcement agencies have received considerable scrutiny because of several well-publicized incidents of excessive force, especially toward various minority and cultural groups. Presented by a psychologist who has 25 years of experience as a sworn police officer, this program reviews the existing "force" science, the relationship between implicit biases and force deployment, and identifies areas in which psychological science can help law enforcement increase the safety of police officers and the citizens whom they serve. 

Note: The presentation displays videos of use-of-force encounters. This may be stressful to some participants.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the force continuum and the base rate of deadly force deployments in the United States
  • 2 Describe at least three studies that have correlated poor executive functioning with implicit bias and inappropriate force decisions
  • 3 Describe three studies in force science and the impact of those studies on police officers and police academy curricula
  • 4 Describe three examples of deadly force misinformation held by activists and police officers

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for psychologists specializing in forensic, occupational, or clinical psychology who work with law enforcement agencies to improve officer safety and community relations. It is intended for professionals with expertise in understanding implicit bias, use-of-force dynamics, and the application of psychological science to policing practices, particularly those responsible for conducting pre-employment or fitness-for-duty evaluations and assessing the behavioral, attitudinal, and psychological suitability of candidates for peace officer and public safety roles.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Occupational Psychologists
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Police Psychologists
    • Public Safety Psychologists
    • Professionals conducting pre-employment or fitness-for-duty evaluations
    • Practitioners assessing psychological suitability for law enforcement or public safety positions

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience working with law enforcement, use-of-force research, and implicit bias.


    • Beginner: Participants new to law enforcement psychology or use-of-force research who seek foundational knowledge about force science, implicit bias, and the psychological factors influencing police-citizen encounters.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience or prior training in forensic or police psychology who wish to deepen their understanding of force continuum concepts, research studies, and the impact of implicit bias on decision-making in law enforcement contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Psychologists practice within law enforcement and public safety systems, collaborating with agencies to strengthen officer safety, decision-making, and community relations. Work occurs in operational, clinical, and organizational environments focused on pre-employment and fitness-for-duty evaluations, bias and use-of-force consultation, and evidence-based training.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Police departments and sheriff’s offices (behavioral science/evaluation units)
    • Public safety HR/civil service divisions (pre-employment and FFDE)
    • Police academies and training centers
    • Independent forensic/occupational psychology consultancies contracting with agencies
    • Hospital- or clinic-based first-responder behavioral health programs
    • State POST commissions and oversight bodies
    • Corrections, probation, and parole agencies
    • Use-of-force review boards, risk management, or internal affairs units
Presented By

Mark Zelig, PhD, ABPP

Mark Zelig served as a lieutenant on the Salt Lake City Police Department. Before retiring in 2001, he earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama. He is board certified in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, and Police and Public Safety Psychology. Dr. Zelig has a national independent practice in forensic and police psychology, with offices in Utah and Alaska. He frequently serves as an expert witness for civil and criminal cases involving psychologically-based evidence. He conducts fitness-for-duty and pre-employment evaluations for high risk professions and for impaired professionals. He has served in numerous governance positions within APA and IACP, including chairing the Police and Public Safety Psychology Section of the American Psychological Association (APA). He has a combined total of more than 140 professional publications, presentations, and workshops.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Context and Public Scrutiny
    -Recent high-profile incidents of excessive force

    -Impact on minority and cultural groups

  • Review of Force Science
    -Overview of existing research on use-of-force dynamics

  • Implicit Bias and Force Deployment
    -Examination of how implicit biases influence use-of-force decisions

  • Psychological Science and Public Safety
    -Ways psychology can contribute to safer practices for officers and civilians

  • Content Advisory
    -Presentation includes videos of real use-of-force encounters
    -Potentially distressing material for some participants

We are proud to partner with

American Board of Police and Public Safety Psychology (ABPPSP)

American Board of Police and Public Safety Psychology (ABPPSP)

We are proud to partner with The American Board of Police and Public Safety Psychology (ABPPSP) for this training. ABPPSP became a fully affiliated specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) on October 21, 2011. Police and Public Safety Psychology is concerned with assisting law enforcement and other public safety personnel and agencies in carrying out their missions and societal functions with optimal effectiveness, safety, health, and conformity to laws and ethics. It consists of the application of the science and profession of psychology in four primary domains of practice: assessment, clinical intervention, operational support, and organizational consultation.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.